Advanced Naturopathic Case Taking: Naturopathic Evaluation Tools: Waist to Hip Ratio

Question 1

Waist-to-hip ratio:

Answer 1

Performing an anthropometric measurement, using waist-to-hip ratio can indicate risk level for a heart attack, stroke, diabetes or premature death.
* Waist: Put a tape measure between the top of the hip bone and bottom of the last rib. Ask the client to hold it against their hip, and then breathe in, out and relax. Take it around client’s waist, walking around until the tape meets. Record measurement.
* Hip: Move the tape to the largest part of the buttocks, with the tape parallel to the floor. Record measurement.
* Calculate: Waist divided by hip measurement.
Greek origin: antropos= ‘human’, metron = ‘measure’

Question 2

Waist/hip Measurements / Guidance:

Answer 2

Health risk: Low
Male W:H ratio: 0.95 or below
Female W:H ratio: 0.80 or below

Health Risk: Moderate
Male W:H ratio: 0.96 – 1.0
Female W:H ratio: 0.81–0.85

Health Risk: High
Male W:H ratio: 1.0+
Female W:H ratio: 0.85+